Her Purpose - Soulmates - Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14 - THANKSGIVING

Melinne Martin

Family and friends were gathering together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Her relationship with Michael was steady. For Melinne and her family, Thanksgiving was an especially important day. Even though she knew that every day we should give thanks to God, this holiday was chosen for that specific reason. The concept of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the Holy Bible, where it represents a fundamental aspect of God's people. In both the Old and New Testaments, Thanksgiving emphasizes gratitude and praise to God for His many blessings. It is the act of saying and showing that you are grateful to God.

Michael and Melinne had been dating for the past few weeks, and she wanted to introduce him to all her family and friends. She rented her favorite restaurant, the Jewel Restaurant, for the family gathering. Melinne wore a royal blue sequin Tulle Glitter lace-up back dress. Her sister Marianne entered her room. "Wow, Melinne, you look gorgeous."

"Thank you, sister; you look gorgeous also." They hugged. "Thank you for all your help all these years, Marianne. I have the best sisters and brothers in the world. I give thanks to God every day for my beautiful family." She rode with her dad Mark, her brother Jonah, and her sister Marianne. They were chatting, laughing, and looking at the beautiful nature as they rode to the restaurant.

They got out of the car, and Melinne looked to the parking lot to see if Michael was already there. She panicked, and her heart twisted. She was pale, held her stomach, and leaned. She felt like she was going to faint. Pieces of her past came back to her. It was like she was reliving everything Travis did. Why did she stay so long with him? The only reason that came to her mind was that when she was little, she heard at church that marriage was for life.

She tried to hold on to something that wasn't working. She even heard testimonies of women that their spouses grabbed them by their hair and hit them, and then God saved them. That can happen, but God does not ask of you to stay in a relationship where somebody is abusing you. For me, it ended really badly; I lost my baby, and I was nearly killed.

According to the word of God, we are called to lead a peaceful existence. God extends his protection to his people, rescuing them from harm caused by wicked and violent individuals. God does not tolerate abuse, viewing it as sinful and unacceptable behavior. And he, greatly pleased, in setting free the maltreated. I should've listened to God instead of what people said.

While she was thinking, she didn't hear her family call her. "Melinne, Melinne." Marianne uttered. As she came back from her trance, her family was surrounding her. Her dad had his arms around her shoulder, her sister was in front of her trying to talk to her, and her brother's eyes showed distress in them. Marianne looked at her with worried eyes. "Melinne, are you alright, darling?"

"I think I saw somebody I didn't want to see in the parking lot. I looked back, but nobody was there. Maybe it was my mind playing tricks on me."

She saw Michael walking towards her with a concerned look. "Are you alright? love. You look pale like you saw a ghost."

"I'm fine Michael, I thought I saw somebody there," she pointed at the parking lot. "I looked back, and nobody was there." They stared at each other. Michael hugged her gently, and her breathing calmed down. He had that effect on her. She strongly wished to stay in his arms for a long time, but she had to introduce him to her family. "Michael, this is my dad, my brother Jonah, and you already know Marianne."

"A pleasure to meet you all," he greeted. They chatted for a bit, and then they started to walk toward the restaurant.

Michael took her hand on their way to the restaurant. When she entered the restaurant, she introduced Simon, Leann, and their dates to Michael. She was going to introduce Michael to Maggie when she came, almost running to them. She gave Melinne a firm hug and told Michael. "Mikey, I didn't know Melinne was dating you." She hugged Michael. "Melinne, this is my friend Mikey, the one that is like a brother to me. I am so glad you are together. You are made for each other." They both smiled and goggled at each other. Maggie cleared her throat, and Melinne blushed. "You are blushing, Melinne," she teased.

"No, I am not."

"Yes, you are. This is the first time I have seen you blush like that. I am so happy for you." She hugged her again.

The door opened, and Alexander Henry entered the room. Maggie's eyes lighten up. Melinne looked at her with wide eyes. Maggie said to her, "What?"

"Nothing sweetheart." Melinne answered with a cheeky smile.

Maggie, Marianne, Sarah, and Liz were chatting with Melinne and laughing. The door opened, and a man with black hair and sunglasses entered the restaurant. Sarah got up the chair so happy and with excitement and said, "Oh, my charming date is here." Melinne panicked. Nobody recognized him with black hair, but she knew who he was. He walked to their table, and Sarah gave him a sweet kiss. "Hi honey, I want to introduce you to my friends." Before she finished the sentence, the man removed his glasses and looked at Melinne; his eyes were cold like an iceberg. He said,

"Hi Melinne, How are you doing? I have missed you so much."

Sarah quivered and looked flabbergasted at her date and then at Melinne. "Do you know each other?" Melinne looked at Sarah with tears in her eyes. She clenched her teeth and felt lightheaded. Maggie looked at her and saw fear, sadness, and anger in her friend's eyes. She put an arm around her and hugged her. She knew Melinne so well that when she gazed toward her friend, she knew instantly what was happening. Maggie clenched her fists and screamed at him.

"Get out of here!"

Why did Travis return? Why did he appear in my life again? What does he want? For her, their relationship was over, and Travis was just a bad memory. At that moment, she remembered the last words Travis said to her. This is not over; I love you, and you will always belong to me.